Presentation from the WCCA 2011 conference in Brisbane, Australia.

1. Reduced Labour for Lower Mekong Farming:
Linking CA/FS Approaches from Laos and Cambodia
with Australia
Professor Len Wade, Charles Sturt University,
EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation,
Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga NSW 2678, Australia
5th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture,
3rd Farming Systems Design Conference,
Brisbane, 26 September 2011

2. Linking CA/FS Approaches from Laos and
Cambodia with Australia
ACIAR projects linking Partner Countries with Australia
• In-country collaboration on priority issues
• Related underpinning research in Australia
Importance of Training for Future Capacity
• Capacity building via postgraduate training
• Students conducting research in both countries
Four Examples to Stimulate Discussion
Mechanisation Soil Management
Direct Seeding Knowledge Transfer

3. Mechanisation and Precision
in CA Approaches
Laos and Cambodia generally < 5 t/ha rice stubble
• Multiple uses of stubble in the farming system
• Pressure on retention of stubble for CA purposes
Australia often >10 t/ha rice stubble
• Late burn = CA based approach to high stubble
• Opportunity with stubble handling machinery
Mechanisation opportunities
• Happy seeder approach – John Blackwell
• Disc seeder approach – Jack Desboilles

4. Soil and Land Management
in CA Approaches
Soils of Low Fertility in Laos and Cambodia
• Low water-holding, multiple deficiencies, small fields
• Requirements change with position & hydrology
Precision Agriculture in Australia
• Land levelling and consequent soil heterogeneity
• Requirements change as soil horizons exposed
Lessons in both directions
• Strategies for soil management optimisation
•Genotype characteristics needed for CA approaches

5. Direct Seeding and Weed Management
in CA Approaches
In Laos and Cambodia, direct seeding is new
• Difficulty in reliable sowing and establishment
• Huge problems with weeds in aerobic soils
In Australia, more experience with direct seeding
• Systems for reliable establishment
• Experience in pre- and post-emergence weed control
Opportunity for mutual learning
• Systems that work for establishment and weeds
• Compatible with stubble retention in CA approaches

6. Learning Opportunities in CA Approaches
Knowledge Transfer in Smallholder Systems
• Issue of large number of farmers, limited resources
• Lack of access to information
Knowledge Transfer in Intensive Systems
• Limited number of farmers with resources
• Established systems for knowledge sharing and transfer
Need to Enhance Adoption of Improved Systems
• Delivery of information in useable form
• Participatory approach, demonstration, farmer learning